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Gavaskar backs Samson for India's Asia Cup XI

Saturday, 06-Sep-2025, 09:52 AM
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Former Indian cricketer and legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar has thrown his support behind wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, urging the management to include him in India's playing XI for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Samson's place in the side has come under discussion with the return of dynamic batter Shubman Gill, who is expected to partner with Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order. However, Gavaskar believes Samson should not only be in the team but also bat at the pivotal No. 3 position.

“You don’t take someone like Sanju Samson as a reserve. If he’s part of your core team, he should be playing. He can slot in at No.3, or if needed, lower down as a finisher," Gavaskar told a group of journalists, as quoted by the Hindustan Times.

“My sense is that Samson will get the nod ahead of Jitesh, at least for the first couple of matches. What happens after that will depend on form,” he said.

Gavaskar also suggested a possible batting reshuffle in order to accommodate Samson at No. 3.

“But that is why I think maybe they might even be thinking in terms of having him (Samson) at number three and having Tilak as a finisher at five or six. Because Hardik (Pandya) is in your team as well. So, Hardik will probably be batting at five or six again.”

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